Scripture Speaks
The sermon and children’s sermon are posted below. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.
Pastor Cress delivers a message for the week of May 10th.
Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.
Children’s sermon with Director of Christian Education Sarah Craven
SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 10, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ –
In past years we would be looking forward to Seersucker Suit and Fancy Hat Sunday. Men, women and children would don their seersucker. We would savor Sunday Dinner in the park. Dozens of children cavorting, and familiar stories of this grand old church re-told for so many new ears that are here to be bent!
But here in The Spring of the Pandemic, we remain apart.
As we face these moments with no clear way forward, I believe scripture speaks.
The first line in the text of our Gospel this Sunday reveals Jesus seeking to comfort his friends even as in the next breath he reminds them he is leaving. What follows is a few men asking hard questions. Not mean, nor accusatory, but sincere and heartfelt.
We get to see Jesus, the rabbi, lover of their souls pass the baton. Really? Who else to continue the reclamation of the cosmos? Who else has seen up close the day to day, sunshine and the rain.
We are not the disciples of that day. We’ve read the book. It’s up to us to lean into God’s word.
An exasperated Jesus tells Philip, who has just asked Jesus to show him the Father, “If you can’t believe that I am in my Father and my Father is in me, then believe what you see – these works!”
Men and women, we have read of the works. We have seen modern miracles. We watch now as Christ’s love and Godly truth are the only agents that can penetrate these clouds. Do we have questions? Sure, and all are welcome.
The session and other leaders will meet this coming week. We have been speaking with colleagues and friends, gathering recommendation from agencies and our insurers, and we will prayerfully make plans that will be tempered as we go forward towards gathering and maybe someday sharing a hug?
Let’s continue to care for each other and God’s people (everyone) as we navigate these waters together!
Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.
This Sunday, May 10th, our congregation will join other Presbyterian churches throughout South Carolina in the Mother's Day Offering in support of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. The mission of PCSC is simply this: "We are a compassionate Christian ministry dedicated to enriching the quality of life for seniors of all faiths."
This offering stands as a witness that Presbyterian churches and their members are not content merely with founding Presbyterian Communities. Rather, they continue to embrace this ministry to older adults as their own and witness to God's love for its residents.
On Mother's Day, our congregation will continue this tradition of caring through the Mother's Day Offering. Please give generously. Your gift directly touches the lives of those needing financial assistance, assuring them that they can continue to call Presbyterian Communities " home."
In consultation with the Stated Clerk of Presbytery and in light of the current mandated guidelines, we are unable to hold a congregational meeting at this time. The Session has set the Congregational Meeting for May 31st.
The bell tower was struck by lightning the afternoon of Sunday, April 19, 2020. The Steeple Fund campaign for the current renovation continues and, considering the damage from the fire, the need to raise money is now even greater.
Help us bring the Second Church tower back to its former glory, so it can continue to be a beacon for Charleston. Donate today to the Steeple Fund.
Bell tower progress updates (and lots of photos) can be found here.
Please text the number 81010 with the message '@2pcchurch' to sign up for church text messages so that you are made aware of pertinent announcements and church-related news. If you didn't receive a text this week regarding the fire, then you aren't yet signed up! Please take a moment to sign up right now so that you're connected in the future. Please contact Jordyn or Sarah if you need help signing up.
MUSC's Psychiatry Unit has reached out offering ways to help patients feel less isolated.
Because of all of the extra measures we have had to take to ensure our patients stay safe with this pandemic, that means many of them are not able to receive any visitors at all, and now they feel more isolated than ever.
Would you be willing to send something to a patient? Something small like a word puzzle book, cards, coloring book, or even a teddy bear can go a long way to just simply let them know someone out there is thinking about them.
Simply send something via their Amazon Registry.
If you would prefer to send us something directly, please send to:
MUSC Institute of Psychiatry, Jessica Carter
67 President St MSC 861
Charleston, SC 29425
One80 Place is in need of volunteers! If you are able, please sign up and help serve those who need us most right now!
Sign up here: one80place.volunteerhub.com/
Or donate to meet their "need of the week".
Wish list: one80place.org/wish-list/
Find it on Amazon: bit.ly/Wish-List-One80
Find it at Walmart: bit.ly/2NSDx7O
SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH WHILE YOU PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING! Many of us are ordering online right now and you can support Second Pres any time you shop on Amazon! Choose to support “Second Presbyterian Church” at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will automatically donate to Second Presbyterian with each purchase you make. Remember to check out and place your final order via smile.amazon.com (and not the app) each time you shop to activate the donations.